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The wider significance of soccer

By Tanveer Ahmed - posted Monday, 3 July 2006


While some sporting commentators have suggested the America's Cup win may have been a greater achievement, on a social and cultural scale, the yachting win does not even come close.

The majority of Australians, and especially those from immigrant backgrounds, could not care less about a sailboat in the ocean.

It is soccer that can cross ethnic groups and social classes, sprouting a nationalism not felt by many.

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If its wave continues, it can be the symbol that reflects best Australia's multicultural success and its confident presence on the world stage across all human endeavour.

Perhaps we will even begin to call it football.

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First published in The Courier-Mail on June 28, 2006.



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About the Author

Dr Tanveer Ahmed is a psychiatrist, author and local councillor. His first book is a migration memoir called The Exotic Rissole. He is a former SBS journalist, Fairfax columnist and writes for a wide range of local and international publications.
He was elected to Canada Bay Council in 2012. He practises in western Sydney and rural NSW.

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